It’s #BookQW and our Seas siblings have a ‘long’ history of competition.
More from Chapter 4:
Ma straightened, tucking stray hair into her French braid. “We’ve made our decision for your safety, and I’m thankful your sister has agreed to let you stay with her on top of her generous offer of the bakery job. You should be, too, when your other choice is staying with your grandparents on the isle.”
“I am. I just want to stay on board instead of with Manta. And have my magic free to conduct the dolphin training, not locked in a quash. You don’t know what you’re asking—”
“Ha!” Salm ducked through the bulkhead and propped himself on the end of the built-in sofa while buttoning a leather waistcoat over a clean linen shirt. He’d even put on some fragrant aftershave, which only added to his better-than-you attitude. “How will a quash matter when you hold back your power when directing the dolphins? Last week, the animals slid in and out of a mere pretense of rounding up the schools—”
“They did gather the fish,” she countered before he said more. “I made the counts. I’m not jeopardizing the balance of our fisheries, which a quash will.” Leave it to Salm to notice that once or twice she’d had to preserve power because she was slated to duel Spike.
“Salmon.” Their father, a tall, graying wizard, entered from the stateroom. “Don’t bait your sister. The two of you will work together to do the chores I’ve assigned.” His bearded face looked uncharacteristically serious above a lime-green and fuchsia floral print shirt and coordinating green shorts, his vacation wear.
Spells! Coral crossed her arms and glared at her brother. How just like Salm to offer help last night and lord it over her today. At least he was the one netting trouble this time.
But Pop lifted her chin with a weathered hand. His blue eyes bored into hers. “Keep your nose out of trouble. I don’t know what’s happening, and I bet I don’t want to. You must learn to control your temper and your inclination to use magic to solve your problems.” He patted her cheek as Ma joined him.
Behind them, Salm leaned forward. “If you didn’t float through your end of the work, I would’ve had time ashore before this week to pursue a partnership.”
“Enough,” Ma said. “Coral has nothing to do with your schedule. I’m sorry your plans have fallen through, but we’ve freed you up to see Luna.” Then Ma fixed that same frown on Coral. The one that said enough better than any word. No more pleading, arguing or whining.
“Aye, ma’am.” She sighed. “I’ll do my part of the work and keep myself out of trouble while you’re gone.”
“It’s not much of a challenge, considering you’re quashing her magic,” Salm said.
Coral fisted her faintly glowing hands at her sides. “It’s twice as hard to get along with wizards when you don’t have magic.”
“Then make it easy on yourself.” He smirked. “Don’t tell anyone.”
Of course, now the know-it-all would think she was following his—
“She’s showing her control, Salmon, when you aren’t. No one should tell anyone, since illegal dueling is why we’re doing it.” Ma pointed to a pile of bags. “Please take our luggage topside and wait for us there.”
Salm sauntered through the cabin’s salon, purposefully angling his path closer to her. Orb curse it, she wanted to zap him.
Ach, that will only net me more trouble.
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If you haven’t read the rest of the series, don’t worry. This novel can be read as a standalone. The characters and location are new to the series.
Get Lost Whisperer of the Seas in print or ebook! Buy it here!
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Want to read more about Coral’s brother Salm?
Salm of the Seas has appeared in several Windborne novels and is getting his own story. I’m deep in another round of revisions for Keepers of the Seas Cliffs, with hopes it will be off to the copy editor in November and published before the end of the year. Get early excerpts by joining my newsletter!
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